Abstract

Knowledge about pest-host plant relationships is important for effective pest control in greenhouse crop production. Mathematical models may help to qualify and quantify these relationships and may therefore be used as prediction tools in decision support systems. In the current study, population dynamics of the polyphagous pest Frankliniella occidentalis (Western Flower Thrips) were investigated on greenhouse grown chrysanthemum and a dynamic prediction model was established. Previously published data were used to simulate thrips development. Thrips population growth was mainly dependent on temperature, population density and food availability. The damaged leaf area, caused by the pest infestation, was simulated separately. Greenhouse experiments were conducted at three different temperatures to be able to compare different plant and population growth patterns. Thrips samples were taken during the whole cultivation period and Larvae and adult thrips were summarized as pest individuals in the population. The model fitted the data well during the early population growth phase but underestimated population decay, due to the lack of migrations possibilities (cage experiments), at high temperatures.

Keywords

Chrysanthemum x morifolium; Frankliniella occidentalis; greenhouse crop production; growth analysis; modelling; pest control; simulations; Western Flower Thrips

Published in

European Journal of Horticultural Science
2008, Volume: 73, number: 1, pages: 12-19
Publisher: EUGEN ULMER GMBH CO

SLU Authors

• Nothnagl, Margit

  • Horticulture, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Kosiba Held, Andrea

  • Horticulture, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Alsanius, Beatrix

  • Horticulture, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Larsen, Rolf Uno

  • Horticulture, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Horticulture


Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/19640